Audi A1 1.6 TDI...
Discussion
Hi All, I am soon to swap my MY2013 A1 1.6TDI (CAYC) for a MY2015 A3 1.6TDI (CRKB).
The CAYB engine is a lazy drive as it has a lot of inertia, maybe the new 'drive select' functionality will change this aspect, but during the past two years I have averaged 57mpg.
The weakness of the CAY- series engine is it's relative age, this engine was being put in Golf's and A3's back in 2009/10, so it is not competitive or as refined when judged against more recent propositions from French / Japanese manufacturers.
Also it takes a fair time to warm-up, at least 6 miles / 10 minutes so if your commute is stop-start in this range you will not see much over 45mpg. The comment about the length of 5th gear is not quite right, in the 5-speed box- 3rd, 4th and 5th are long (with 5th having a similar gearing to 5 1/2 on regular 6-speed boxes), and pick-up in 5th at 70mph / 2,000rpm is acceptable. The advantage of the long gearing is that you can make 90% of your acceleration in 3rd as it will run from 20 to 90 before getting to the limiter.
One of the reasons for switching to the A3 was the newer CRKB engine, although it develops the same peak power and torque figures it feels completely different and has better real-life fuel consumption. Overall the larger A3 is no slower than my current A1.
I'm not sure if the face-lifted A1 has a development of the older engine, but the specific outputs are different at 116 and 110PS respectively with the 116PS sounding similar to the CAYD engine that Skoda put in their cars for eastern Europe where taxes are higher on bigger displacements, maybe all they did was make it EU6 emissions compliant?
The only other comment that I would make is that if you make a lot of short journeys then run it on premium diesel or put a bottle of redex through the tank every 1,000 miles to keep it pulling sweetly.
The CAYB engine is a lazy drive as it has a lot of inertia, maybe the new 'drive select' functionality will change this aspect, but during the past two years I have averaged 57mpg.
The weakness of the CAY- series engine is it's relative age, this engine was being put in Golf's and A3's back in 2009/10, so it is not competitive or as refined when judged against more recent propositions from French / Japanese manufacturers.
Also it takes a fair time to warm-up, at least 6 miles / 10 minutes so if your commute is stop-start in this range you will not see much over 45mpg. The comment about the length of 5th gear is not quite right, in the 5-speed box- 3rd, 4th and 5th are long (with 5th having a similar gearing to 5 1/2 on regular 6-speed boxes), and pick-up in 5th at 70mph / 2,000rpm is acceptable. The advantage of the long gearing is that you can make 90% of your acceleration in 3rd as it will run from 20 to 90 before getting to the limiter.
One of the reasons for switching to the A3 was the newer CRKB engine, although it develops the same peak power and torque figures it feels completely different and has better real-life fuel consumption. Overall the larger A3 is no slower than my current A1.
I'm not sure if the face-lifted A1 has a development of the older engine, but the specific outputs are different at 116 and 110PS respectively with the 116PS sounding similar to the CAYD engine that Skoda put in their cars for eastern Europe where taxes are higher on bigger displacements, maybe all they did was make it EU6 emissions compliant?
The only other comment that I would make is that if you make a lot of short journeys then run it on premium diesel or put a bottle of redex through the tank every 1,000 miles to keep it pulling sweetly.
New A1 is using the CMXA unit, which I can see from Erwin is EA 288 based as per the new A3 units 
Capacity is the same its predecessor (1598cc) so its difficult to tell them apart without having seen in person! Agree with your comments that the old one is now quite dated having launched in 2009 so makes sense they are replacing it.
Capacity is the same its predecessor (1598cc) so its difficult to tell them apart without having seen in person! Agree with your comments that the old one is now quite dated having launched in 2009 so makes sense they are replacing it.
On our 3rd and 4th 1.6 TDI (VW Tourans, run as courtesy cars). Nothing went wrong with the first two.
Nothing has gone wrong with the current ones. Being courtesy cars they get thrashed. Even in the bus like Touran they get 45+ MPG and 55 is easy enough on a run. In my experience A1 economy is only marginally better than this but it doesn't get the 6 speed.
Refinement is acceptable and I rate the engine. Performance is just fine
Nothing has gone wrong with the current ones. Being courtesy cars they get thrashed. Even in the bus like Touran they get 45+ MPG and 55 is easy enough on a run. In my experience A1 economy is only marginally better than this but it doesn't get the 6 speed.
Refinement is acceptable and I rate the engine. Performance is just fine
Well by chance I've just had a 2015 Golf Mk7 1.6 TDI 110 rental for the past few days! Its confirmed my thoughts that this new 1.6 TDI is much improved on its predecessor. Seriously smooth and refined for a small diesel and nippy performance, never felt out of its depth with 4 on board. Granted it isn't quite as quick as the 1.4 TSI COD when pushed but under normal conditions its fine.
Fuel consumption was excellent averaging 58mpg over that period, covering about 220 miles. Wasn't driven economically nor was it used on any motorways since this was in rural Ireland. Had it reading into the 60s on many occasions and even touched 70 at one point!
Based on that I'd be confident is should suit the A1 nicely, so the OP shouldn't have anything to worry about
Fuel consumption was excellent averaging 58mpg over that period, covering about 220 miles. Wasn't driven economically nor was it used on any motorways since this was in rural Ireland. Had it reading into the 60s on many occasions and even touched 70 at one point!
Based on that I'd be confident is should suit the A1 nicely, so the OP shouldn't have anything to worry about
daydotz said:
Is It the new 1.6 the EA889 with the maniford in head which means fewer DPF issues ?
Yes but it's actually the EA 288. This guy keeps referring to it as the EA 889 in all his letter responses for some reason - www.honestjohn.co.uk
va1o said:
Yes but it's actually the EA 288. This guy keeps referring to it as the EA 889 in all his letter responses for some reason - www.honestjohn.co.uk
Funny enough that's where I learned about it Well the car arrived yesterday, wasn't that excited until I saw it coming off the car transporter!
I'm absolutely amazed by it. It pulls very well considering it's the 1.6, the build quality and level of equipment is outrageous.
I've done just over 200 miles to 3/8's of a tank averaging just under 70mpg according to the trip which is unbelievable given that I've been flooring it occasionally.
It cruises very well and very comfortably at 70-80 and will still pull well in 5th at those speeds.
Had a nice drive down to Beachy Head...
I parked this behind my Mini yesterday and thought "blimey, the Mini is worth a 10th of what this costs" but having done some miles it easy to see why! If someone wants to moan about how expensive these little cars have become blah blah blah... All I'll say is take one out for a weekend! Comparing equipment to my dads well equipped E60 525d was hilarious! The A1 won top trumps there!
I'm absolutely amazed by it. It pulls very well considering it's the 1.6, the build quality and level of equipment is outrageous.
I've done just over 200 miles to 3/8's of a tank averaging just under 70mpg according to the trip which is unbelievable given that I've been flooring it occasionally.
It cruises very well and very comfortably at 70-80 and will still pull well in 5th at those speeds.
Had a nice drive down to Beachy Head...
I parked this behind my Mini yesterday and thought "blimey, the Mini is worth a 10th of what this costs" but having done some miles it easy to see why! If someone wants to moan about how expensive these little cars have become blah blah blah... All I'll say is take one out for a weekend! Comparing equipment to my dads well equipped E60 525d was hilarious! The A1 won top trumps there!
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